The Caroline County Board of Supervisors took no action this week on a proposal to amend a county ordinance that prohibits more than eight hours of continuous music within a 24-hour period.

The request was made by two festival organizers who are looking to move their large events to rural Caroline County.

The owner of the All Good Music Festival, a four-day camping-style concert that attracts nearly 25,000 people, wants to move the annual show from West Virginia to Moss Neck Manor, a 1,200-acre site in Port Royal off U.S. 17 owned by the Silver Cos. The festival would feature 14 to 16 hours of music a day, twice as much as the county allows.

At their meeting Tuesday, supervisors asked county staff to research some amending options to the current code, which went into effect in 1971 after Woodstock. Even if an amendment is approved, each event would still need approval from the board.

The All Good event has been held in West Virginia since a 2001 appearance in Spotsylvania County, but owner Tim Walther said Tuesday night that the festival has outgrown that location.

Moss Neck Manor "has more than twice the amount of property needed," Walther said. "We have a safe and successful event out there and bring a lot of revenue to the county."

He said the summer festival would employ 100 local people, generate about $250,000 in sales for local businesses and donate thousands of pounds of food to the local food bank. According to a 2010 report, the All Good Music Festival is estimated to have had a $1.1 million economic impact on Preston County, W.Va., and a $2.3 million impact on the state.

Caroline supervisors voiced concerns about traffic along U.S. 17. Walther said traffic was not a problem in West Virginia, even along a one-lane road up and down a mountain.

He told supervisors the event would be no different from the National Scout Jamboree held for years at nearby Fort A.P. Hill.

"I just need to point out that 30,000 Boy Scouts are a lot different than 30,000 adults drinking alcohol," said Reedy Church Supervisor Reggie Underwood. He said he opposes amending the ordinance and the event coming to Caroline.

Port Royal District Supervisor Bobby Popowicz said he supports the event and the proposed amendment.

"Events like this are temporary and bring in revenue and are worth looking at," Popowicz said.

Board Chairman Floyd Thomas noted that All Good is facing a lawsuit related to the death of a 20-year-old festivalgoer. The Preston County Sheriff's Office said a pickup rolled down a hill out of the control, striking cars and tents, including one in which the woman and two friends were sleeping.

Walther described it as a tragic accident, but said couldn't discuss it further because of the lawsuit.

A group out of Richmond wants to hold a two-day music show in Caroline with performances on multiple stages for up to 10 hours per day. According to Planning Director Mike Finchum, this event would also require modifications to the Meadow Event Park's special-use permit, which limits concerts not associated with the state fair to the midway area at the far north area of the property.

It is. 90 more miles. Which is a 17% increase from the drive to Masontown.

I agree that Masontown was just about the longest drive I would make on a yearly basis for a festival. This makes me sad.

All Good could prevent accidents like the one that happened this year. The website/rules always say that there won't be camping allowed by vehicles (except in a few areas), but every year it's such a clusterfuck getting parked that everyone just camps where they want. I figured there'd be some changes next year, but I didn't think it would mean such a drastic location change. After 9 years on the Mountaintop they might as well just change the name. To me that mountaintop was a huge part of what made it so awesome.

Post by wolfmanjess on Nov 20, 2011 14:43:45 GMT -5

90 miles shouldn't be a deal breaker when looking at a 10 hour drive. But like I said .. I understand. If Bonnaroo changed locations after 10 years I'd probably have reservations as well.

I guess I am old but I leave Nashville early on Weds drive all day to WV where I am worn out then get a hotel room. We usually so the drive back in one day with everyone exhausted I hate to say it but two more hours each way is a deal breaker for me, like Sarah said it is close to 20% farther on top of what is already a grueling drive.

Post by popsicle sarah on Nov 22, 2011 12:35:37 GMT -5

90 miles shouldn't be a deal breaker when looking at a 10 hour drive. But like I said .. I understand. If Bonnaroo changed locations after 10 years I'd probably have reservations as well.

90 miles isn't a guaranteed deal breaker for me. I'm gonna need to see some details first... price, dates, line-up, etc. It doesn't hurt that Mike's brother lives a little over half way to Port Royal, VA. Definitely a few months out yet before we learn anything concrete.

Post by rdk0r on Nov 22, 2011 13:05:32 GMT -5

"The 16th annual All Good Music Festival & Camp Out, July 19-22, 2012, is moving a little bit west to the historic Legend Valley. For those who know your history or were a part of it, Legend Valley was formerly Buckeye Lake Music Center.

Located 30 minutes east of downtown Columbus, our new home in Thornville, Ohio was the site of some of the most memorable Grateful Dead shows ever plus historic shows by the Allman Brothers Band, Lollapalooza, AC/DC, numerous Hookahvilles and many more."